6 month old with cold - Dr given anti biotics?

[STORM01]

Hi

My 6 month old has had a bad cold for nearly 3 weeks. At end of week 1 we went to docs just to get checked......all ok, ears, throat chest checked etc.

Week 2 she seemed to be getting worse & sounded to have a "rattly" chest so I took her back. Dr confirmed again that all clear, however as it was a Fri she prescribed antibiotics stating that as it was the weekend I would be stuck if she got worse. Her instructions were to only give them if I thought it had spread to her chest (which was why I took her back in the 1st place - confirming that I am obviously not a doctor!)

DD continued the same over the weekend but on Monday had a bad night coughing, rattling etc so I took her back again. This time we saw a different Dr who again said her chest was clear etc but as the cold was going on so long I should start the antibiotics.

As yet I have not started them as she scared me with the side effects saying only give if absolutely necessary...but then is it not true that antibiotics have no effect on the common cold?

I am now totally confused!!! Do I give them even though her chest etc is clear or do I keep her off them and just hope we're at the back end of it & it will get worse before it gets better.

[Marne]

I guess its incase she has any infection in her chest, even if the doctor listened to her chest there could still be some infection there.

If it is just a cold then they wont have any effect on her. Just keep a close eye on her, if she seems to be getting worse then give the anti-b's. Fingers crossed it has peeked and she will now start to feel better.

[DidEinsteinsMumDoSanta]

there is a very nasty virus going about that is causing secondary infections which need treating with anti-biotics. It is quite possible as this virus is really affecting breathing that the doctors have suggested the antibiotics to prevent this as the breathing issues would be very scarey in such a young child.

Personally i would give the anti-biotics, but that is because i have just had the virus. And one rare course of antibiotics is not a major disaster. Which anti-biotics have you been given? if it is amoxicillin then diahorrea is a probable side effect for her.

[Galena]

My GP told me when I took DD last week that it's incredibly difficult to listen to children's chests particularly if they are also 'bunged up' and snotty. This is because the sounds they can hear are EITHER coming from nose/throat or deeper in the chest. They have to work out whether the sounds are when the child breathes in or a little after.

I guess they're just covering all bases and making sure that if there is an infection it is treated.

DD just gets grotty nappies with amoxicillin as PP said.

[CharlieBoo]

I would really just give them...

[STORM01]

Yeh it's ammoxicillin....2.5ml 3 times a day for 5 days. Will start tomorrow & keep my fingers crossed.

[STORM01]

Just to update - went back to docs on Fri after temp of 39 & a night of constant crying....she has a throat infection.
3 days into anti biotics & Nurofen DD is nearly back to her happy smily self....thank goodness!